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hile
the Wright brothers may have been the first to make a sustained,
controlled flight, they were just two among hundreds of brave men
and women who helped to give the world its wings during the earliest
days of aviation. Their Flyer was but one of many historically
important aircraft. Below are brief descriptions and photos of some of the most important
people and planes, and where available resources and links where you can find more
information. In some cases, contributors have supplied expanded
histories and biographies. Those are listed at the right and linked below.

Joseph Dosher
was the chief of the
Kitty Hawk weather station who responded to Wilbur Wrights letter in
1900 asking for information about the winds in the Outerbanks and
inquiring if the location would be suitable for gliding experiments. Dosher
referred Wilburs letter to William Tate, the Kitty Hawk postmaster, who
also replied to Wilbur. Dosher and Wilbur formed a friendship and the
chief lent his lifeguards to help the Wrights with their powered
airplane in 1903. When Wilbur came down with the flu while visiting
Kitty Hawk in 1908, Dosher put him up at the Life Saving Station.

The Life Saving Station at Kitty Hawk, NC, where Dosher worked.

Dosher's reply and invitation to come to Kitty Hawk, sent to Wilbur
in 1900.